May 8, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA - On Tuesday, May 8, Villanova University Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro announced the hiring of Joe Godri as the school's 10th head baseball coach, replacing former head coach George Bennett who retired following the 2001 season after 16 years with the Wildcats. Godri, who has had two different stints with the Villanova baseball program totaling five years, had just finished up his first season as Associate Head Coach of the Wildcats in 2001.

Godri began his coaching career at the University of Pittsburgh in 1988, where he was the batting coach from 1988-90. He came to Villanova University in 1991 for his first of two stints with the Wildcat baseball program. Godri was the batting coach for Villanova for three seasons, before heading west to New Mexico State where he served as the team's head assistant from 1994-97.

After three seasons in New Mexico, Godri spent one season as an associate scout for the Cleveland Indians. He then traveled to the University of Utah where he assisted with the pitching staff for two seasons. Following his two seasons in Salt Lake City, Godri returned to the Main Line in 2000 to begin his second go-around with the Wildcats. After serving as an assistant to head coach George Bennett in 2000, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach in January 2001. In addition to his on-the-field duties for Villanova this past season, Godri also served as the team's recruiting coordinator.

A 1990 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with his Bachelor's Degree in education, Godri went on to receive his Master's Degree in marketing and management from New Mexico State. He played his collegiate ball at Colorado State and Montgomery County Junior College.

A native of Phoenixville, Pa., Godri replaces a head coach in George Bennett, who leaves Villanova after 16 seasons as the school's all-time leader in victories with 463. Bennett led the Wildcats to a 463-324-6 record during his 16-year Main Line career, and tallied a mark of 531-371-9 in 20 seasons at the collegiate ranks.

A two-time Big East Coach of the Year, Bennett led Villanova to Big East Tournament titles in 1989 and 1991, and to Big East regular season championships in 1993 and 1996. He also guided the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournament berths, in 1989 and 1991. Bennett's 1989 squad came just one game away from a berth in the College World Series.